Star Gazing!
High atop Mount Hamilton, overlooking San Jose from 4,200 feet above sea level, sits a true marvel of 19th-century vision: the James Lick Observatory — the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world.
Completed in 1888, the observatory was funded by the eccentric and philanthropic James Lick, who wanted to leave behind a legacy “to benefit mankind.” He didn’t just fund the science — he’s actually buried beneath the great refracting telescope that bears his name.
When it opened, the observatory housed the largest telescope on Earth — a 36-inch refractor that became a magnet for global astronomers and groundbreaking discoveries. It helped refine our understanding of the Moon, planets, and deep space at a time when space still felt mythical.
To reach the top, visitors originally traveled a winding, narrow stagecoach road — a journey that added to the sense of wonder. Even today, driving up Mount Hamilton feels like a pilgrimage, where San Jose meets the stars — tradition says it has one curve for every day of the year.
James Lick Observatory isn’t just a relic — it’s a living scientific institution, part of the University of California, and a testament to San Jose’s long view on curiosity, discovery, and the cosmos.